The Dog Days of Summer

It's hot. I'm talking triple-digit, boiling lava hot. And I love this time of year!

Over the past several weeks, Lisa and I have gotten to spend some time in Miami and the Fellowship campus there, writing, relaxing and getting ready for the coming fall. (Of course, I've done a little fishing too. You didn't think I'd go to south Florida and not try to catch a fish or two, did you?)

One project that we've been working on is our new book about marriage, The Marriage Mirror. We're in the final editing stage now and are ready to send this thing off to print.

But we aren't the only ones making the most of this summer. The Fellowship worship team has used their "down time" to write, rehearse and record a brand new CD, Closer to the Start. They've already introduced several songs to the home crowd at our church, so if you're in the area, stop by for a sneak peak!

Lisa and I also had the chance to visit our camp in East Texas. It's amazing to see all that God is doing there in the lives of so many children and students. I'm still blown away by that place!

We've been busy. But we've had some great time off, too. I hope you can say the same. Let me know what you've been up to this summer...

Comments

[Amber French]

The last week of July, my church’s youth group went to camp in Temple, GA. I’ve been a leader in the youth group for a year now but this was my first time going to camp; I had no idea what to expect. For the forty days leading up to camp, all of us gave up something important to us, believing God for breakthroughs in our lives and at camp. At the services during those forty days, we felt God like never before and that excitement was with us as we made the three hour drive to camp. The being hot thing definitely hits home because it was miserably hot during that week. Our first night there, we all gathered in the chapel (that had no air conditioning) and prayed for thirty minutes before the service started. As soon as our band came out to play, God took over. We spent the next two hours in worship; any agenda my youth pastor had now out the window. But it didn’t matter; we experienced God – I don’t think anyone could say they weren’t touched in some way. All of us were drenched with sweat – when you combine eighty-some people in a room with no air conditioning that’s to be expected – but none of us cared because we were in the presence of God. The rest of the week was great as well, consisting of late nights, pranks between cabins, typical camp food and lots of bonding between leaders and youth. By the time we left, we were tired but in a good way. A lot happened during that week and I hope we always hold tight to those memories.

[Regina]

Dear Ed,

I don't know how to even begin to tell you what a difference you have made in my life. My boyfriend (now husband) invited me to go to Fellowship Church with him about 3 years ago...I was very hesitant, not because I wasn't a believer, just not a believer in religion! Anyway, long story short, there hasn't been a moment of regret as your messages from God have impacted my heart. There have been times when I have left in tears! My biggest regret is that I didn't take my children to church, not once. They are now grown and struggling like I did...lost and always looking for something to fill that empty place in their hearts. This past Sunday my youngest son (23) attended the service with us. He has been a couple of times in the past, mostly holidays to make me happy. During the service I held his hand and I prayed to God to touch my son through your sermon and it worked! He spent the rest of the day with us and attended the dinner and tour of Allaso Ranch. Afterwards he agreed to sign up for the bible study at the Ft. Worth location next month. As he was leaving that night he ask me why it was that everytime he went to church he felt like you were talking to him and he felt like such a loser? I smiled and I knew we had him then! I told him that was God talking to him and he wants better things for you...My son called me tonight and told me he had ask God to take his addiction to cigarettes and he wants to go back to school! Without your messages and Fellowship Church this wouldn't have happened. I thank you for all that you do for all of us. I told my husband we will convert all of our kids, even if we have to do it one at a time! It's never too late...God Bless you and Lisa!

[Matthew]

I grew up in Canada, so when the 3 digit heat comes, I see myself as just going through a defrosting time.

[michael]

Ed -

i got the opportunity to hear Ben Young preach at Lake Hills Church in Austin. He was awesome!

[Kim Hebert]

Hi, Ed and my fellow FC-er's - I just got home from Allaso Ranch a couple of hours ago and have so many life-changing moments to reflect on. Thanks so much to all who donated their time, money and sweat to impact the lives of our future generation. A fellow volunteer pointed out that we witnessed future trainers and leaders choose to follow Jesus this week and it gave me chill-bumps to be a part of it. I'm grateful for the experience and all the damp, sandy clothes yet to be washed - as they are reminders that I got to play in God's sand box for a week with almost 300 happy campers! Thanks to your awesome staff and all the volunteers that made this my best vacation!
May God continue to bless you all!
Kim

[Boomer]

What did you catch?

[Kraig Pullam]

Pastor Ed. Well, I am having an interesting Summer to say the least. I'm a pastor in the Houston area. Pearland to be exact. I love your blog and the creative approach to your ministry. I'll be preaching/teaching in a Youth Explosion next week in Oklahoma City and take a few days off afterwards and spend some time in Los Colinas. I will have to stop by to show my wife and kids the campus and pick up some resources. You guys are always in our prayers. God is doing some awesome things in your ministry. Keep up the good work. - Kraig (www.cornerstonefamily.org)

[Shawna W]

Hello Ed & Lisa,
My husband and I want you both to know what a difference you continue to make in our marriage and in our lives each week. We live in Minnesota and are unable to attend your church but we watch it each week on satelite. We have been married 10 years with 2 kids and have been through the typical struggles in those years money,kids,sex,sex,and did I mention sex. The new series Sexual Revolution has been making a deep impact on us,(OK ME) I feel like we have gotton other areas of are marriage where they need to be but this issue just loves to hang aroung and cause strife in our marriage. This is really what we needed to hear what God says about this issue not just man. Wow did I say it stinks to hear the truth (ouch) My husband and I have been feeling for awhile that God wanted us to have a small group at our home but we were not clear what we wanted to discuss UNTILL we started the series Sexual Revolution. We ordered the DVD series and study guide and should be recieving them soon. Our plan is to go through it and start our group this fall. It is on my heart because of the struggles in this area we go through. We want to help other couples like us to hear what God says in this area and to help mend marriages. I have to laugh when I think of ALL the studies/issues we could have done it just had to be like GOD to put Sexual Revolution in our laps. WE are excited to see what God has for our marriage and the marriages of the couples in our home group. Thank you again for your ministry we will continue to pray for you and your family.
Thank you,
Shawna

[Brian Pennington]

Glad to see you getting some time for yourself. I hope you will post pics of your monster catches! I just got back from Allaso Ranch where I was a trainer for my 9yr old son. What an AWSOME EXPERIENCE!!! We had 101 kids go forward at salvation night. Mike had such an unbelievable message that night I wish the whole church could witness it. Can't wait to read the new book and to have you back. Be safe!

PS. It was great to see some people from the Miami campus at the Ranch as well. I was able to work with a young man named Andrew that works with the youth down there.

[Susan Ferreri]

Hi Ed and Lisa,
It is so great that our fantastic leader can take some time off and in his replacement bring in some dynamic speakers/preachers. I think that anyone in that arena that gets the chance to speak at one of our churches feels very blessed. I know that they blessed me with their topics.

My summer has been a challenge. I lost my mother on June 20th and have yet to find my feet to take me the next steps that I need to walk. I do ok sometimes, but then when I am not expecting it, I am back to the day she passed away.

She never went to church. I remember taking her to one of our Christmas Services. It was the one where it snowed at the end of the service. What a great memory that was.

Thanks for your leadership.

[Amy Waddell]

Hey Ed!
Man do we miss you at G-vine, but I also know how important it is for you and Lisa to spend time with the other campuses. You guys are awesome and we can't wait to see you soon!
Summer's been crazy, hot, crazy and hot! So good though...I love the heat because it means lots of swimming! And as a newly married couple, my husband and I cannot wait for the new book...thank you guys for working so hard to minister to us all!

Hope to see you soon :)

[Eunice Mullins]

Ed and Lisa,
Glad y'all had a great summer. Hurry back to Grapevine we miss you!!!!!!!!

[Mike Drury]

Ed,

Great to hear you're getting some down time. From one pastor to another you are right on about the sizzling summer. Our church (in Ft Wayne,IN) has been "blazin" through these "dog days" and it's been great! Looking forward to the new book as well as the WT's cd!
Mike

[Adam]

Ed!
Love your messages. You minister to me so much. As for what I have been doing this summer...I proposed to my girlfriend last night and She said YES! She is such a blessing from the Lord, and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

[Tracey hall]

Hello Ed & Lisa,
We are glad that you are relaxing BUT, we can't wait to get you back to Grapevine!!!
While you have been gone...the Grapevine & the Coppell SPF Home Teams have been up to an Olympic challange.....During the Olympic Opening Ceremonies....we will be having a major HOME TEAM PING PONG CHALLENGE & POSSIBLY A SWIM MEET! WISH YOU WERE HERE!!
Blessings!

[Brian L]

Hey Ed and Lisa .. wish I could say I have been having some time off but staying super busy at work and then going to MD Anderson to see what they can do for my neurofibromatosis. Basically going down every week to see a new dr to see what they think they can do.. luckily I have a great church and Home Team at FC and their prayers are keeping me going when I have wanted to give up so many times -- thank you for being the leader of FC and bringing so many special people together to help others in many ways

[Jackie Shepherd]

Gosh Ed- So glad to hear about all that is going on with Fellowship Church all over the map! I was fortunate enough to take a week off work to volunteer at Allaso ranch and all I can say is "WOW!"

You've got a great staff running the show out there and so many wonderful volunteers!

God truly made his presence known to the children who attended last week, including my 8 year old son, Ryan.

Keep up the superb work and know that you and the Fellowship Staff are highly appreciated!

Blessings,
Jackie Shepherd

[Kathleen Mercer]

Summer is our busiest time of the year for the type of work my husband and I do, but we took a weeks vacation and worked as small group leaders out at Allaso Ranch for the Senior High students. What an awesome experience! Lives where truly changed, young people allowed Christ in their hearts for the first time. It was amazing to watch young men and women coming into camp with lots and lots of burdens and become "Unleashed" from those things and rededicate their lives to walk the walk. They are tried of being Church Kids. I challenge every parent who had a child attend Allaso Ranch and came back changed to PAY IT FORWARD! Volunteer as a testimony to their child’s life being changed. We chose to PAY IT FORWARD, because our son's life was changed last year! You can make a difference one young adult at a time. A huge thank you to everyone who gave money in order for Allaso Ranch to be possible. It is a place where lives are being changed, and the chant for our kids at camp this summer is NO MORE CHURCH KID! It was the best vacation ever!

[Brian]

Down time is big! As a church planter it has been hard to come by in our first two years but we have still been able to take a week off both summers. We also got to go to the JW Marriott in Orlando and act like we were "rich" for a night. Go God!!! :-)